The other option is to go traditional. You can buy a high quality film SLR from Nikon or Canon and a great assortment of used lenses for quite a bit less than a DSLR body and lenses. Put the difference into film and processing, which really isn't that expensive.

In my case I bought Nikon's top of the range film SLR (the F6) and compared to Canon's top DSLR at the time the difference in body costs was $7500. I can buy a lot of film for $7500, and the F6 isn't obsolete in 18 months.

Either way you go, film or digital, KEH.com is the place to buy. I generally never buy better than bargain grade equipment and it always looks just lightly used. Their ratings are very conservative, and excellent service.